Amazon working on Echo higher-end kitchen speaker with touchscreen

LOS ANGELES: Amazon is working on a Echo-like devices with an integrated touchscreen.

The new device will respond to voice commands just like Amazon’s existing line of Echo speakers, but also feature a 7 inch touchscreen.

Amazon could release the new device as early as Q1 of 2017.

There have long been rumours that teams within were working on a kitchen computer. These efforts were initially thought to be an extension of the company’s line of Fire tablets, potentially featuring a larger touchscreen.

However, the success of the Echo has put a bigger emphasis on voice control. Consumer Intelligence Research Partners recently reported that Amazon has sold an estimated five million Echo speakers since the introduction of the device two years ago.

It’s still not known how much the new device will sell for, which could be a critical factor for making it a success story. The Echo succeeded in part because of a price tag that puts it within reach of existing Bluetooth speakers.

Amazon’s new kitchen device could come with a significantly higher price tag, and not just because of the integrated touchscreen: The device will also feature a higher-end speaker with a better sound quality than the existing Echo.